Vladimir Antonov Withdraws Proposal to Buy and Leaseback Saab Property

The ink has barely dried on Saab�s latest attempt to form a preliminary deal with China�s Pang Da Automobile and Youngman, and the Swedish company is faced with yet another problem as Russian investor Vladimir Antonov has withdrawn his proposal to buy and leaseback Saab property.
"The property sale is now being discussed with external investors," said Lars Carlstrom, Antonov's representative in Sweden. However, Carlstrom noted that the Russian banker was still interested in becoming a shareholder in Saab�s parent company Spyker Cars NV.

Saab Signs Three-Way Deal with China�s Pang Da and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile

Lately, it seems whenever there�s a problem with production at Saab�s Trollhattan plant, the Swedish automaker�s parent company Spyker Cars N.V. announces a new deal with a Chinese company.
Today, Spyker signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with two Chinese firms, Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., Ltd (Pang Da) and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co., Ltd. (Youngman), which if approved by regulators, could see the company falling into the control of Chinese hands. We'll remind you that Saab had previously signed a deal Chinese firm Hawtai but it failed to go through Chinese regulators.

Saab Temporarily Suspends Production Again while it Seeks Parts

The on-off production drama over at Saab�s Trollh�ttan facility in Sweden continues as the troubled automaker said Wednesday that it temporarily halted production due to a lack of components from its suppliers only two weeks after resuming making cars following a seven-week shutdown.
Saab said that it anticipated production hiccups in the start-up phase, as the supply chain still is not fully operational with some suppliers holding back until they get paid and others trying to re-stock.

Saab Eyes Another Chinese Savior, Signs MoU with Pang Da Automobile Trade Co.

For the second time this month, and shortly after the break up in talks with the Hawtai Motor Group, Saab�s parent company Spyker Cars N.V. today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a new Chinese company to provide fresh funds for the deeply troubled Swedish automaker. This time Spyker signed a tentative finance and import deal with Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., Ltd (Pang Da), said to be China�s largest publicly traded automobile distributor with over 1100 dealerships in the country.

Saab�s Deal with China�s Hawtai Motors Collapses, Future Once Again Uncertain

Another day, another deal gone sour for Saab and its parent company Spyker Cars N.V. Today, less than two weeks after Saab announced an agreement with China�s Hawtai Motor Group that would have invested �150 million (US$215 million) into the company in exchange for a 30% stake, Spyker said that the deal has fallen through raising new doubts about the Swedish brand�s future.
�Since it became clear that Hawtai was not able to obtain all the necessary consents, the parties were forced to terminate the agreement with Saab Automobile and Spyker with immediate effect,� Spyker said in a statement.

Saab Boss Victor Muller Hints at US and EU Distribution of China's Hawtai Cars, Says Buyers Won�t Care about Safety

The ink on the deal / partnership between Saab and China�s Hawtai Motor Group has barely dried, but the Swedish automaker's chairman and Spyker CEO, Victor Muller is already making headlines again by hinting at the distribution of cheap Chinese cars in the United States, Europe and elsewhere through Saab�s established global network.
"We laughed when the Japanese came. We laughed when the Koreans came. But we will not be laughing when the Chinese come. The Chinese are like a steamroller,� said Victor Muller, during a press event in Washington, D.C.
Muller said that if an agreement is reached with Hawtai, the Chinese maker could make use of Saab�s distribution network to sell its cars globally.
"It took 67 years to build up our dealer network. It is the biggest asset not on our asset sheet, and these guys buy into it for free. If they make the proper cars, can you image how much simpler it will be to push product through the distribution network that is already there? It is like a railway network that is already there," said Muller.

Saab Details Partnership with China�s Hawtai Motor Group

In his attempt to save Saab- again, and after having secured short-term cash of �30 million (US$44.6 million), Spyker Car N.V. CEO Victor Muller�s next move was to sign a strategic partnership with China�s Hawtai Motor Group. Under the agreement, Saab will receive a �150 million (US$222.5 million) cash injection while the two companies will form joint ventures for manufacturing, technology and distribution.

As a part of the deal, China�s Hawtai will invest �120 million (US$178 million) for up to a maximum of a 29.9 percent equity stake in Spyker on a fully diluted basis. ?he remaining �30 million will be in the form of a convertible loan agreement with a 6 month maturity, an interest rate of 7% per annum and a conversion price of �4.88 per share.

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Saab Details Partnership with China�s Hawtai Motor Group

In his attempt to save Saab- again, and after having secured short-term cash of �30 million (US$44.6 million), Spyker Car N.V. CEO Victor Muller�s next move was to sign a strategic partnership with China�s Hawtai Motor Group. Under the agreement, Saab will receive a �150 million (US$222.5 million) cash injection while the two companies will form joint ventures for manufacturing, technology and distribution.
As a part of the deal, China�s Hawtai will invest �120 million (US$178 million) for up to a maximum of a 29.9 percent equity stake in Spyker on a fully diluted basis. ?he remaining �30 million will be in the form of a convertible loan agreement with a 6 month maturity, an interest rate of 7% per annum and a conversion price of �4.88 per share.

Saab Announces Strategic Partnership with China�s Hawtai Motor Group, Secures New $30 Million Loan

Spyker Cars NV and Saab president Victor Muller is pulling all the strings to kick start the Swedish automaker back into life after the company hit a cash crunch and was forced to halt production last month as suppliers refused to send parts citing lack of payment.

After an earlier announcement on the involvement of Russian banker Vladimir Antonov, who plans to invest �30 million in Saab�s parent company Spyker in return for a 29.9 percent stake, Muller hit twice today revealing that the company has secured a �30 million convertible loan from Gemini Investment Fund Ltd, while also announcing a new partnership with China�s relatively unknown, Hawtai Motor Group.

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Saab Announces Strategic Partnership with China�s Hawtai Motor Group, Secures New $30 Million Loan

Spyker Cars NV and Saab president Victor Muller is pulling all the strings to kick start the Swedish automaker back into life after the company hit a cash crunch and was forced to halt production last month as suppliers refused to send parts citing lack of payment.
After an earlier announcement on the involvement of Russian banker Vladimir Antonov, who plans to invest �30 million in Saab�s parent company Spyker in return for a 29.9 percent stake, Muller hit twice today revealing that the company has secured a �30 million convertible loan from Gemini Investment Fund Ltd, while also announcing a new partnership with China�s relatively unknown, Hawtai Motor Group.

Spyker Cars Says Saab won�t Meet its Sales Target this Year, Now Talking with Chinese Companies for Funding

The roller coaster that is Saab has taken another turn, and unfortunately for the Swedish brand, the future doesn�t look so bright. In spite of a tentative agreement to let Russian banker Vladimir Antonov invest 30 million euros in Saab�s parent company Spyker in return for a 29.9 percent stake, the investment still needs to be approved by the European Investment Bank, which means the Swedes are still short on cash and cannot resume full production.

Today, Spyker reported a loss of �79 million before interest and tax for its first quarter earnings, while the company�s CEO, Victor Muller, said that Saab will not meet its sales target this year.

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Swedish Debt Office and GM Allow Antonov to Invest in Saab

It appears that Saab's hopes of survival continue to depend after all that happened on Vladimir Antonov, the Russian banker who was forced by GM to sell his initial shares in Spyker for the Saab sale to occur. Spyker today confirmed that the Swedish National Debt Office (NDO) allowed Antonov to become a major shareholder in Spyker Cars, Saab's parent company.

"This is a great day for our company and for me personally. We worked relentlessly for 11 months to achieve the desired result: restore the reputation of Vladimir Antonov, who made so many valuable contributions to Spyker since 2007 as financier and shareholder,� said Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker and chairman of Saab Automobile.

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Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85, 2009

Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85, 2009��Spyker introduces the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 of which a maximum of 24 production slots are being offered. The LM85 has been designed in the spirit of the Spyker Squadron GT2 (LMES) race cars and sports a GT2 inspired livery. The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 is named after the starting number of the GT2 cars Spyker has had at Le Mans since 2002.The Spyker C8

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Spyker is bringing the production ready C8 Aileron to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, but they will also be presenting the new Aileron GT - a new race car that will replace the current C8 Laviolette GT2R racer in the 2012 motorsport season. The new model will be developed by Spyker Squadron�s expanded engineering team at its Zeewolde headquarters in conjunction with its long-standing technical partners. According to Spyker, various racing teams are already interested in purchasing the racer.

Spyker Squadron Managing Director, Peter Van Erp, said: "We are taking a racing sabbatical this year to concentrate our resources on developing a new GT racer based on Spyker�s new C8 Aileron supercar, instead of continuing to spend money on a car at the end of its development cycle. For the long term future of Spyker Squadron, and for its role in the promotion and technical development of Spyker road cars, it�s a positive and strategically important step.

"Ultimately, our fans can look forward to a very exciting long term future following Spyker in top-flight endurance racing, with both the Spyker Squadron and customer racing teams fielding C8 Aileron GT cars. And as a result, Spyker will become an even more prominent and successful name in endurance motorsport around the world in 2012 and beyond."

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Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder, 2010

Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder, 2010

 

 

Spyker Cars announced the development of a convertible Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder in March 2009 at the Geneva Auto Show, during the introduction of the production version of the Spyker C8 Aileron. The car presented at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in is the first prototype for the open-top model, scheduled to go into production in the first half of 2010.

The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder is a high-quality, semi-automatic canvas soft-top. The roof's operation is electric/hydraulic, secured by one central latch operated manually. Once folded, the soft-top is totally enclosed within the body of the car, allowing for an undisturbed profile. The roof retracts under an aluminium tonneau, with two buttresses upholstered in quilted Hulshof leather (matching the car's interior) and featuring the company's motto "Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via" ("For the tenacious, no road is impassable"). The soft top has a glass rear window and is available in eight colours.

The Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder features a luggage rack, CNC-machined from solid billets of aluminium, mounted immediately behind the roll hoops, on which a wing-shaped aluminium case is strapped. The case is trimmed in the same quilted leather as the interior and buttresses.

Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85, 2009

Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85, 2009

Spyker introduces the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 of which a maximum of 24 production slots are being offered. The LM85 has been designed in the spirit of the Spyker Squadron GT2 (LMES) race cars and sports a GT2 inspired livery. The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 is named after the starting number of the GT2 cars Spyker has had at Le Mans since 2002.

The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 specification list is exhaustive with exclusive elements incorporated. All 24 LM85 owners are special guest during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2009. Furthermore, a special Chronoswiss 24 Hours Pilot Watch is part of the offer.

The Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 is an advanced mid-engine, two-seat sports car. It is characterized by a lightweight all aluminium body construction and an uncompromising engineering package. The powertrain of the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 is the all aluminium Audi 4.2 Litre V8 engine producing 400 bhp. This is paired to a manual six-speed Getrag gearbox, driving the rear wheels with a Drexler limited slip differential. The use of aluminium parts and other lightweight materials results in an impressive power-to-weight ratio and underlines the GT2 racing heritage of the LM85.

Based on the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R, the racing characterisitics of the LM85 are numerous, such as the structural aluminium chassis, GT2 livery (Burnt Almond Orange with Gun Metal 'S' logo), side mirrors in gun metal, a carbon fibre rear spoiler, and GT2 windscreen streamer. Behind the black powder coated alloy wheels, black AP Racing 6 piston brake calipers with AP Racing logo appear.
The ample use of black leather and alcantara, which is originally meant to reduce light reflection during racing, has been finished with orange contrast stitching and characterizes the unique interior of the Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85.

On request, Chronoswiss dials and switches can be installed and are virtually identical to the Chronoswiss 24 Hours Pilot Watch every LM85 owner receives with his car. The black floor mats are made of fire protective material, finished with orange piping and the LM85 logo embroidered.

Pilot Watch

Every Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 owner receives a special edition Spyker Chronoswiss 24H Pilot Watch with orange crocodile strap. The serial number of the car will be engraved on the case of this exquisite time piece.
Le Mans VIP Weekend

Racing is of key importance to Spyker as it breeds the brand and highlights the endurance and performance capabilities of our cars. Spyker therefore has had its own factory race team since its inception in 2000: Spyker Squadron. In 2009 Spyker Squadron will participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the seventh time. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a unique event for both racing fans and drivers. As part of the LM85 offering all Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 owners are invited to celebrate and experience the 24 hours of Le Mans 2009. During this VIP Hospitality weekend, Spyker hosts the owner and guest at the most famous sports car endurance race, held on the "Circuit de la Sarthe".

Exterior Features:

* Body colours: Burnt Almond Orange with Gun Metal "S" logo
* Side mirrors in Gun Metal
* GT2 carbon fibre rear spoiler in Burnt Almond Orange
* Spyker GT2 windscreen streamer
* Towing eye and towing ring in orange
* Charcoal tinted polycarbonate roof panels
* Aluminium front body gurney
* 19" Black Aeroblade Wheels with central wheel nut
* Black AP Racing logo'ed calipers

Interior Features

* Airbag steering wheel trimmed in black alcantara and black perforated leather grab areas; orange stitch
* Dashboard top panel trimmed in black alcantara; orange stitch
* Centre tunnel and sills trimmed in black quilted alcantara; orange stitch
* Knee area dashboard and glove box trimmed in black quilted leather; orange stitch
* Door panels in black leather; quilted inlays in black quilted alcantara; orange stitch
* Roof upholstery in black alcantara
* Trunk panels in black quilted leather; orange stitch
* Fire protective floor mats in black; orange piping; LM85 logo embroidered
* Dashboard instrument panel in turned aluminium
* Personalised LM85 serial plaque
* Spyker logos in head rests
* Extinguisher system mounted at passenger's side
* Special engine covers (silk black)
* Whisper mode operated exhaust system

Additional Features

* Spyker Chronoswiss 24H Pilot Watch with orange crocodile strap; LM85 serial number engraved
* Exclusive Spyker VIP Hospitality 24H LeMans 2009 weekend

Optional Features

* Sticker set 1 (number 85, driver's name and national flag)
* Sticker set 2 (Complete 2009 LeMans sponsors)
* Chronoswiss dials and switches
* Car cover; black with orange piping; LM85 serial number embroidered
Safety & Security

* Driver's airbag steering wheel
* 3 Point restraining system, integral steel seat-belt support structure
* Remote-controlled central locking system
* Alarm system with immobilizer
* Bi-Xenon headlights

Technical Specifications

* Body & Chassis
o Frame: Structural Aluminium Space Frame
o Body: Full aluminium body
o Suspension: Fully independent and adjustable aluminium wishbone suspension Koni F1 Shock Absorbers, Eibach Springs, anti roll bar
o Active safety: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
o Brake Calipers: Aluminium AP Racing calipers
o Brake discs (front - rear): �356 mm (14") - �330 mm (13") AP Racing
o Pistons (front/rear): 6/4 AP Racing
o Wheels (front - rear): 8,5J x �19" - 9,5J x �19"
o Tyres (front - rear): 235/35 R19 - 265/30 R19
o Rear spoiler: Fixed wing

* Engine & Transmission
o Engine type: Mid-mounted V8, 40 Valve
o Engine capacity: 4172 CC (254.6 cu in.)
o Maximum Power: 298 Kw (400 hp)
o Maximum torque: 480 Nm
o Maximum revolutions: 7500 rpm
o Fuel Injection System: Multi-Point with Electronic Ignition
o Differential: Drexler Limited Slip Differential
o Gearbox: Synchromesh 6-Speed Transaxle, Getrag manual gearbox

* Dimensions
o Wheel base 2575 mm (101")
o Front track 1400 mm (55")
o Rear track 1580 mm (62")
o Length 4185 mm (165")
o Width ex mirrors 1880 mm (74")
o Height 1245 mm (49")
o Kerb weight 1275 Kg (2805 lbs)
o Weight distribution: front / rear 43% / 57%
o Specific Power: kg/hp 3.125
o Max. Allowable Weight 1500 kg
o Max. Allowable Weight in trunk 50 kg

* Consumption (in accordance with Dir. EC/1999/100)
o Urban cycle: 19,0 L/100 km
o Extra urban cycle: 10,0 L/100 km
o Combined: 13,3 L/100 km
o CO2 emission 315 g/km

* Consumption US (in accordance with US EPA guidelines)
o Urban cycle: 13 mpg: Expected range for most drivers 12 to 18 MPG
o Extra urban cycle: 18 mpg: Expected range for most drivers 16 to 24 MPG
o Combined: 15 mpg

* Tank capacities
o Fuel tank: 60 litres (15,9 gallons)
o Engine oil: 8 litres (2,1 gallons)
o Engine coolant: 20 litres (5,3 gallons)

Spyker C12 Zagato, 2008

Spyker C12 Zagato, 2008

The Spyker C12 Zagato is an all aluminium rear wheel drive sports car, based on the Spyker C12 Spyder. The C12 is powered by the 6.0 liter, 12 cylinder, 500 bph W12 engine from Volkswagen AG and accelerates from 0-100 km (0-60 mph) in 3.8 seconds. The Spyker C12 Zagato is equipped with a six-speed manual or automatic gear box with F1 style shifting, Chronoswiss instruments and a Zagato designed full leather interior with brushed aluminium instrument panel. The C12 Zagato has an aluminium body with stainless steel roof rails and has many F1 derived design details such as an F1 nose, air scoop, chimneys, mirrors, rain light, fuel flap and diffuser. It has a panoramic roof that features the Double Bubble, a typical Zagato style element. The Spyker C12 Zagato has a length of 4.5 m, a width of 2.02 m excluding mirrors, a height of 1.25 m and weighs 1480 kg. The fuel tank capacity is 70 litres (15.4 gallons). Top speed is 310 km/h (193 mph).

"All Spyker cars have their own very unique style: the aeronautical retrospective style co-exists with craftsmanship and elegance. The new Zagato body becomes even more unique, aggressive and sensual at the same time. It features a new double bubble panoramic roof , F1 influenced nose and air intakes, chimney and a "coda tronca", the typical Zagato cut off tail end.

Maintaining Spyker's styling philosophy, Zagato design put all these elements together and created an extremely stimulating example of contemporary exotic high performance sports car by using typical modern Zagato lines which started from the Raptor Zagato in 1996."

Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder world debut

Spyker sport car maker from Dutch has announced that their will build the new second generation C8 Aileron during 2009 Geneva International Motor Show. At the same venue the company announced it was developing a convertible Spyder model and this very car has now been unveiled at the 59th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this Sunday.

The car is equipped with a 4.2 liter V8 engine which from an Audi, the C8 Aileron Spyder can make 298kW (405hp) and peak torque of 480Nm at 3400rpm. Its 0 - 60mph sprint time is stated as 4.5 seconds while top speed is 300km/h (187mph). The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual box but a new ZF 6-speed automatic is available as an option. Both transfer power to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential.

The Spyder is made of a light aluminium body construction and is differentiated through the new electro-hydraulic soft-top roof mechanism. The roof has a glass rear window and can be ordered in one of eight colours. Its exterior look is inspired by Spyker's heritage in aviation. Past front end design attributes dominated by the shark-like gills have been replaced by a cleaner look. The front grille is larger and the rear features LED lighting technology. Nineteen inch alloys are rolled inside 235/35 front tyres and rubber of up to 295/30 size at the rear. The body itself is available in 16 different colours while inside a choice of 14 leather colours will be sold. Buyers can of course customise their own colours should these not please them enough.



Aluminium is used extensively for the dashboard which houses a new in-car entertainment system led by the new exclusive Kharma sound system. Other features include iPod and Bluetooth connectivity as well as satellite navigation. Spyker has made the suspension stiffer for better handling but has also tuned it to minimise unwanted excessive cabin noise and vibration. Production of the C8 Aileron Spyder starts in the first half of 2010.

Spyker C8 Aileron

From the outside, the Spyker C8 Aileron styling is an evolution of the previous Spyker C8 Laviolette LM85 first shown at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show. While the Laviolette carried a propeller theme through most of the car, the Aileron emphasizes the jet propulsion age via the use of turbine-engine-shaped air scoops. Compared to the Laviolette, the Aileron is longer and rides on a wider front track for improved driving comfort and stability.

Power for the Aileron comes from an Audi-sourced 4.2-liter V-8 engine rated at 400 bhp and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. Either a Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox or a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission can be ordered with the car. The chassis is new, an aluminum space-frame design with suspension designed and produced by Lotus. The front and rear aluminum double wishbone suspension carries 19-in. wheels that are slowed by 13.8-in. front and 12.1-in. rear brake rotors.

The manufacturer suggested retail price for the Aileron is $209,990 with the manual gearbox, and $219,990 with the automatic, both excluding options. Expect to see a convertible version at this summer's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.